Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Hello fellow M-TEC grad! Sounds like you have a great job!!! nm

Posted By: Cee on 2007-08-13
In Reply to: Graduated from M-TEC in 2001 - - mtecgrad

x


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

I think it sounds great!

I am a newbie who is currently in an internship program which I paid to participate in.  I am not getting paid, and it doesn't bother me one bit!  I studied through the US Career Institute without studying up on which schools were best, so I was in a real bind.  I did not have the "proper" MT education, and as I am finding out, it really was not a good one either. 


When I started, I had only a tape player, computer, a dictionary.  I had to purchase my foot pedal, headphones, several references.  I think that is doable for a serious prospect. 


I also feel that a newbie that has been looking for work without luck, and one that possibly did study through the best schools would be more than willing to work for a couple weeks sans pay.  My unpaid internship is a lot longer than that, but I see it as practice/education rather than a pay-less job. 


It may be different for someone who went to one of the best MT schools and is fully prepared, I don't know.  Maybe then they would want to be paid.  But seriously, 2 weeks to prove yourself is not that bad is it?  Especially for a person who cannot find a job, and has been searching for an opportunity for months.  I think you are very kind to consider it!


You'll do great, as it sounds like
you've already done your "homework".  Best of luck to you!
Fellow Newbie
I was thinking about doing the same thing. I really kind of want to do radiology. Would you mind sharing how you put together your resume without revealing the name of your school and how you listed your transcription time as experience. You can email me if you prefer.
Hi fellow Michigan woman
I have a 6-month-old and just started working as an MT when he was born. I am very thankful to be home with him and to be able to see all his firsts. I have recently started participating on this site and welcome you. Very unfortunate for your experiences, but, like you said, they have taught you to re-prioritize. Good luck.
NEW GRAD WITH A JOB! YES, IT CAN & DOES HAPPEN! I'M NOT AN ANDREWS OR M-TEC GRAD!
I just wanted to share that I'm a new grad from EvCC/CS (Everett Community College utilizing CareerStep courseware), and I GOT A JOB! I'm IC status doing straight transcription and start working from home June 1st! I was offered .08 cpl, 24-hour TAT, and no ESL!

I'm posting my news here for a couple of reasons:
1. I want all the new grads out there job hunting to see that there are companies out there willing to hire you! I applied to only 4 companies, and I got this job on day 18 of my job hunt!
2. I'M NOT AN Andrews OR M-Tec GRAD! I believe those are probably great schools, but they are not the only schools that produce grads who get jobs! I graduated with high honors and earned real transferable college credits. If MT work does decline in the future and I need training in a different field, my credits will follow me.

I do believe getting that first MT job is about being in the right place at the right time! I also feel very lucky to have only applied to 4 places before landing this job, but my training played a huge part in that "luck." This company requires 100% on their employment tests, and without the great training I received, there is no way I would have made 100%.
In the end, great training, determination, hard work, and great networking skills will get you an MT job!
Sure sounds the same
nm
Sounds like...
C-pak, seepak, zeepak. It's an antibiotic for airway disease. Currently taken with albuterol MDI. I've looked online and through my Saunders but I am stuck. It is probably embarrassingly simple but any suggestions would be appreciated.
It sounds to me like
the training you did get was enough to secure a job for you, which you say you are doing ok at. This is a huge accomplishment in and of itself! It is quite normal to feel like you are not producing what you should be when you first begin. I too let this overwhelm me and quit my first good job, which I now regret. With regard to the BOS, if you own one or have access to one, I would just review its major points until you memorize them. "Saving Keystrokes" is a great book, and adding to your expansions is one great way to increase line count. Most companies, I believe, like the ShortHand software for word expanding, which you can download online and try out for free if you don't already have it. I would not worry so much about going over your old text books; you can learn a lot more by sticking with the job you have , and speed will come with experience. The CMT certainly is an ego-booster and would qualify you for practically any MT job, but I agree this is not something you should attempt without at least 2 years of full-time work experience. These are just my thoughts. Good luck!
Sounds odd
I have never heard of such a thing either. To get into my MT educational program all I had to do was take a pre-enrollment test and meet the requirements like having a computer, high speed internet, virus protection, Windows xp or higher. Things of that nature.
6 sounds sleazy to me!

You can and will get 7, just keep looking.  I made 8 right out of school, and no it wasn't one of the expensive schools. 


Six is a rip, three is absolutely ludicrous, and you are worth more than that.  I applied with every company out there, two-year clause or not.  It was not hard at all to find 7-8 my first year.  My second year I make much more, and I don't and never have had to "beg" for anything.  Just because someone else did 15 years ago, doesn't mean I have to or would. 


I don't see anything sleazy about a list either.  Name me any school that has job placement.  What else is there?  Sleazy is the ridiculous comments above from the owner suggesting new grads are worth 3 cpl. 


This sounds really questionable to me.
x
Sounds like a company I know in
Alabama near 280.  If it is and you want to talk, send me an email.  I worked there before.
Sure sounds like a certain company
that is notorious for this very thing.
It sounds like you are doing good (sm)
so far with your line counts.  You are also very fortunate to be making 9 cpl with your experience.  There are many MTs with years of experience who are not paid that much.  Your line counts will increase as time goes on.  You will become more familiar with your dictators and will spend less time verifying words, etc.
Sounds like you need the position from Boo2
is requiring.  Maybe you wouldn't have to look for a job, filling out those applications and trying to do those tests.  Since you do not have children, you should have no problem at all with the turnaround.  You two could be two peas in a pod.   Oh, I'm bad, very bad!  Take a taste of your own medicine, bitter or sweet?  Lord, forgive me, please!
I also think $3.00 a page sounds fair. sm
Ask for templates.  Most of the formatting is probably done for you.  My thing would be though even if say the last page is only half, then still charge the $3.00 for that page as well.  JMO. 
Sounds like a sad state of affairs.
That really sounds awful! I was considering this company, having only a year's worth of experience. I was watching this thread to see how it all comes out. It does not sound like this would be a good place for me to try to start a career after all - newbie or not. I have read this stuff before. For it to keep coming up, there must be some truth to it.

Is there any newbie friendly company out there worth hitching your wagon to? Spheris sounds like it has the potential to basically be okay, but creating the environment where the MTs have to scratch around for work is just kind of sad.
From the sounds of the gripes on this board anyone
on the side.  There are newbies who have completed a course that are not very good at transcription.  I would say try ordering some sample work or see if anyone has anything that you could try out.  This way you can tell if you like it or not.  I wish you all of the best.  You have just as much of a chance as anyone else in this profession.
Sounds like my DH, doesn't care that he - sm
is leaving behind a wife and 2 kids(me and our children)---and I presume you have at least 1 child from your name. I hope you had life insurance already in place since no one will undoubtly touch him now. ---Good luck in your new job.
NAME OF MEDICINE. Sounds like injatony 5 mg a day...

 Does anyone have any idea what this could be?


 


You know what they say, if it sounds too good to be true ...
It says you can be reimbursed for 100% of the cost of the 16 "Advanced Practice Packages" which cost $59 each. This would be a total of $944, which is not the cost of the entire program.

While the textbook they use is a good one, it is also the only one that they say they use. Andrews & M-Tec use a lot more books. Although lots of practice is good, I believe the training you get before all that practice is the most important. What good are all those reports if you haven't learned what you need to know to transcribe them?

In five years I have heard nothing but raves about Andrews School and M-TEC. I have heard next to nothing about eSmartMed. That alone would be enough to steer me away from it.
sounds like your skill level needs work...
SO, you may do best in a hospital setting where there are oldtimers around to help you. Do NOT give up! :-)
Thanks for replying... It sounds absolutely perfect - sm
that is what I would be looking for exactly.  It is nice to know that there are opportunities like that around.   Good for you!  Enjoy your job!  Thanks again!
Sounds like they made a poor choice of EMR...sm

the whole point of EMR is not to type the notes into the system - it's to choose from a menu and point and click to get the information in.  Think


chief complaint:  sore throat.     choose:  erythematous   edematous  purulent drainage and so on


if it's a speciality with a lot of redundancy, i.e. podiatry, they fly through their notes. If it's more unique situations a little tougher. But don't worry... the EMR companies will soon figure out the missing link...


 


 


 


A footpedal is around $79, so if they offer one it sounds good to me.
x
It sounds like your mind is made up that you don't need an adequate course,
and that hard-working MTs in your area are just waiting to complete your education so you can be of help to them. But you did say you wanted advice, so mine would be that your future co-workers, supervisors and customers will all wish you were ready to transcribe when you got out of school, which can only be guaranteed by two schools: Andrews & M-Tec. So instead of wasting a few hundred dollars on an education that won't land you a job, spend what it takes for a real education. At these schools you can learn at your own speed with lots of support from the teachers, and when you graduate you will be an asset to the profession.
You typing on downloaded templates or something? Sounds like someone
s
Definitely sounds like a scam. You can't learn much in an 8-week course. NM
x
Sounds like a matchbook cover training program to me,
x
This all sounds nice, but newbies have to choose MTSOs wisely and this one is not a wise choice.
me, I will explain.
new grad
I see I left out the word
'hire' in my post!
Jewels
I'm a soon to be VLC grad...

... I've had no problems with the VLC.  The instructors are wonderful, especially Carol.  The tech team has always been helpful if I needed them.  My materials came as scheduled, maybe a few days late but I live in a very rural area so wasn't expecting them on the EXACT date. 


I've found the course to be very good.  I've already tested for several companies, though I am a few days shy of completing the course, and have been told I am testing very well. 


One thing about the VLC is you make your own deadlines, ect. and you will get out of it what you put in.  Don't just rule out VLC because one person had a shipment problem. 


New grad pay
I started as a new grad doing acute care at 7.5 cents a line. This was a year and a half ago with a large national. However, I think a new grad should be careful not to set expectations too high if they want to get a job.
CS grad here...

I have posted on here before about my experience with CS, it was all good.


I had NO problems getting a job right after school, or getting new jobs since.  I think it was money well spent. :)


 


 


CS grad
I am a CareerStep grad. Their course is at your own pace. There were no mandatory online classes at all. There were chats that you could participate in, but they had little bearing on the actual course material. There are no instructors; you compare all your course work to a computer program. If your answers do not match verbatim what is in that program you then have to decide whether your answer is correct and phrased differently or wrong. Student support is available by phone and email. Looking at my email logs, I sent in 26 questions/concerns. I got 18 replies. There is a student forum, but any question you post there is typically answered by fellow students. I got through the course in 9 months, but I did work a full-time job during the course. I chose not to pay extra for the job assistance package and found a position through networking on a forum outside of the course.

I did get a job within a short time of graduating, but I trained with 2 M-Tec grads and an Andrews grad. They were way ahead of me from a newbie point of view. I felt like I was constantly swimming upstream just to keep up with them. I ended up getting some of the workbooks they had in their courses and studying at night which helped a lot. In retrospect, I probably should have taken a harder look at the course content and given less weight to the cost issue when choosing a school.

I hope I answered each of your questions, and best of luck to you with what ever course you choose.
M-TEC grad
M-TEC can be completed in various amounts of time.  It just depends on how much time you invest daily.  I started on May 23, 2006 and graduated on December 10, 2007.  I had a lot of things interrupt my studies, but I still graduated before needing an extension.  However, extensions are available on a month-to-month basis if you need more time than 18 months to graduate.  The course is great, the instructors are knowledgeable and very helpful.  All in all M-Tec is the best!  Good luck!
M-TEC grad
As an M-Tec grad, I can assure you that we have incredible marketability, and did you know that M-TEC currently has a 100% placement rate of their grads? (I'm sure Andrews' rate is just as good too though - helpful, huh! hehe)

I have never gotten an "Andrews is #1" vibe; the vibe I've always had is the "Andrews and M-TEC are THE top schools" vibe. You cannot go wrong with either school, but M-TEC gets my vote. :)
CAI grad
Hi Erica.  I'm a CAI grad and I have 2 friends that are also CAI grads.  I loved the course.  The director is great about answering any and all questions.  They have a great message board for students.  They also were very helpful with job placement.  Good luck to you!
CAI Grad
I graduated last June and had a job within a week and a half.  It is a really good program, easy to follow home study.  I needed no additional guidance.  When I took the course it was done in 6 months, now I think they give you a year for the same program.  More than enough time.  I really enjoyed the class.  The dictations at the end are tough, but they are trying to train you for the worst of the worst.
NEW GRAD

DO NOT let her apply with TOTH Transcription.  They hire anybody, particularly new grads to just type the work, but you will never see a pay check.  TOTH  is a scam operation.  You have to trust me on that.  


Look on the forum for all the complaints against Toth Transcription. 


New Grad
I did graduate with a certificate in medical transcription. Any help would be appreciated, although from all of the boards I have read it look like you have to be in the right place at the right time. I guess everyone eventually gets that first job.
New Grad Help

 Help! How did everyone get their start in the MT business? I  just graduated from Penn Foster and I have a medical office background and have worked as a medical claims insurance analyst for 14 years. I have applied to every online MT business I can find, but with no luck. Does anyone have an ideas?


 


Thanks


Kim


 


Sorry, but I am a CS grad. I can
of the education one receives there, but also to their business partnerships with the companies that are paid for everyone student that signs up with CS. I can attest to the fact that Andrews and M-Tec provide a more comprehensive MT education than CS does because I train new MTs. Our company no longer hires CS grads because they require far more remedial training and mentoring than grads from the other 2 programs.
New grad needs advice
Hi, I am a new graduate and I had my first interview with a possible in office transcription job. I was offered $8.00 and hour and I was wondering if this was the going rate for new transcriptionist? They asked me what I needed as far as pay, I told them $10 hour... they said and I quote "you will get $8 hour" I live in Tennessee and thought that was low? Any advice?
PCDI grad
Hi, I graduated from PCDI and have been an MT for about a year now. I had to struggle a lot at first, more than people who would have graduated from the better schools, I am sure. I feel very good about where I am at now, though. I have two jobs, one part time and one full time, and have been working at home since December of last year.

However, if you feel you have not learned anything it may be best for you to look into more training. I would not turn around and tell someone looking to get into this field to go to PCDI. There is a big difference from what we learned and what reality is.

I am not trying to discourage you. If you have the will, I am sure you will do just fine. I would, though, really assess how you feel about it because if you wish to go this route, it will take a lot of work on your part. Good luck to you!
recent grad
Just wondering if there are any companies that hire new graduates. I am a recent grad. (Dec 06) and I am having a heck of a time finding people who hire newbies.
thanks
Sorry about the typos ... I'm a CS grad. nm
x
M-Tec grad. Do they actually help you with the job search?

Anyone who graduated from M-Tec--


Do they actually help with the job search or just provide the list of partners they work with on the website?  When I first graduated from M-Tec., I went through the list of partners, applied to several, and had been called back and offered jobs at all.  I stupidly took a job with a company that I can honestly say I hate so far (and have only worked for 2 weeks there) and can't see it getting much better in the near future. 


I remember getting an e-mail from someone--Kathy, Susan, Karen...can't remember who it was now because my entire e-mail account was wiped out and I lost that e-mail--but whoever it was told me that if I was having trouble finding a job to let them know and they would help out.  I went through the list again, reapplied to many of the companies, applied to several that I had not seen before, and have not heard from any of them now! 


I don't know if a lot of companies are just not hiring right now or what is going on.  Nothing has changed about me and before I was getting calls and e-mail daily offering me positions.  Should have taken one of those instead of holding out for this crappy one.   Oh, and I think the issue is also that I only want to work about 15-20 hours a week and a lot of companies are FT only.


If they help other than providing a list, could someone tell me who I need to contact since I can't find the information anymore?  Thanks!


I agree with CS grad. NM
x
New Grad Job Search
Ive been reading this forum for days and everyday I get more and more discouraged.  Today I found a post about PCDI, which is the school I attend.  I feel confident in the education I am receiving.  They send me emails outlining any mistakes I may have made, and I truly am learning from my mistakes with their help.  I've begun the job hunt and am not having much luck.  Everytime I come across another company, I check them here and almost all of them seem to be 'bad compaies'.  Are there ANY good companies to work for?  I've read the archives and have seen all the bad things about all the companies.  But being a newbie and in need of experience, would be such a terrible thing to gain that experience from a "bad"  company?  I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I deperately need some experience.  I have noticed Trans am hires newbies.  I have read all the negative comments about them.  But being in need of experience, isnt experience from a not-so-good company be better than no experience? Help please!!!
Another Andrews grad

I graduated from Andrews a few months ago.  I cannot speak with any authority on the experiences of other schools' graduates, but I can tell you that doors were opened for me just based on my Andrews graduation.  I heard comments from recruiters that were very complimentary and tested at companies who, according to them, do not consider newbies unless they are Andrews grads. 


I found it to be a very comprehensive learning experience, and I felt very prepared to begin working on my very first night as an MT.  I also got the job I wanted, instead of the job I settled for.